Israel considers giving up Golan Heights: "Israel could give up all of the Golan Heights for peace with Syria without compromising security, the army chief said in an interview published Friday, undercutting the contention of successive governments that Israel needs to keep at least a slice of the plateau."

Aides for Iraqi cleric press for amnesty: "U.S. forces suspended a major offensive against militants in Najaf on Friday, and aides to Muqtada al-Sadr told Iraqi negotiators that radical Shiite cleric was prepared to disarm his followers in exchange for a list of demands including an American withdrawal from the holy city and amnesty for all his fighters."

U.S. soldier arraigned on Abu Ghraib abuse charges: "BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A soldier accused of abusing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad has been arraigned on charges including maltreatment of subordinates, dereliction of duties, and committing indecent acts with detainees, the military said Friday."

Reuters reports that Sadr vows to stay in his Najaf stronghold until victory or death:

"I will not leave this holy city," he told his fighters, who chanted "no, no to America" in response. "We will remain here defending the holy shrines till victory or martyrdom."

A Sadr spokesman had earlier said the cleric would pull his forces out of Najaf if U.S. forces also withdrew and religious authorities agreed to administer the city's sacred sites, the holiest for Iraq's majority Shi'ite Muslims.

But the fiery speech, designed to rally militia fighters who have suffered heavy losses against U.S. warplanes and tanks, appeared to reject earlier government overtures for a deal to end the confrontation.

Powell Denounces Iraqi Insurgent Leader: "Denouncing Iraqi insurgent leader Muqtada al-Sadr and his militia as outlaws, Secretary of State Colin Powell said Friday U.S. forces were "squeezing" Najaf in an effort to restore order and establish the authority of the Iraqi interim government. (AP)"

Sadr Calls on Iraqi Govt to Quit, Vows to Fight On: "Radical cleric Moqtada al-SadrFriday urged Iraq's "dictatorial" interim government to resignand said his militia would fight U.S. forces in the holy cityof Najaf until death or victory, his spokesman said. (Reuters)"

New U.N. Envoy to Iraq Calls for Peace: "The new U.N. envoy to Iraq called for an end to the ongoing violence in the holy city of Najaf as he met with government officials Friday, establishing the world body's first official presence here since a series of deadly bombings forced it out last year. (AP)"

Iraq War NewsIsraeli troops detain reporters, doctor: "Israeli troops in the West Bank detained three British Broadcasting Corp. journalists and a Palestinian doctor at gunpoint for three hours Thursday before releasing them, BBC officials and the doctor said."

Angry Palestinians lash out at Arafat: "Dozens of homeless Palestinians led by gunmen occupied a government office in this Gaza refugee camp Thursday, forcing officials to leave and lashing out at the Palestinian Authority."

Najaf is one of Shiite's holiest cities: "The gold-domed mosque of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib - named after the slain cousin and son-in-law of Islam's prophet Muhammad - has been revered by the world's 120 million Shiite Muslims as a place of pilgrimage for centuries."

Pandora's mosque: "While U.S. forces may have received "permission" to strike the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf from Iraqi authorities, any such action is likely to provoke widespread outrage throughout the Shi'ite community. According to the Los Angeles Times, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of neighboring Iran, said in an address on Iranian state television, "The United States is slaughtering the people of one of the holiest Islamic cities, and the Muslim world and the Iraqi nation will not stand by.""

Pentagon faults Halliburton for Iraq accounting: "An internal Pentagon audit has faulted US oil services group Halliburton for failing to account for some of the 4.2 billion dollars it has been awarded for logistical contracts in Iraq and Kuwait. (AFP)"

Cemetery Fight Haunts Some U.S. Soldiers: "NAJAF, Iraq, Aug. 10 -- Bats flapped out of crypts, startling soldiers creeping through the cemetery with guns up. Graves opened beneath their combat boots. And an old enemy displayed a new professionalism, darting in clearly practiced moves between tombstone and mausoleum to stalk the Americans from above ground and below. (washingtonpost.com)"

UN Prolongs Iraq Mission Stymied by Unrest: "The U.N. Security Council votedunanimously on Thursday to extend for a second year a U.N.mission in Iraq that has so far failed to get off the grounddue to a lack of security. (Reuters)"

The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution Thursday extending the U.N. mission in Iraq for a year, but how significant a role the world body can play remains in question because of continuing insecurity in the country.

The resolution adopted by the 15 council members reaffirms "that the United Nations should play a leading role in assisting the Iraqi people and government in the formation of institutions for representative government."

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. forces stormed the home of rebel Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in the holy city of Najaf on Thursday, witnesses said. They said servicemen went into the house in the center of the city after warplanes bombed nearby targets and battled militiamen loyal to Sadr.

The deputy governor of Najaf has resigned in protest against the US offensive on the city even as a series of explosions rocked Najaf as fighting between US marines and Al-Mahdi fighters entered a second week. "I resign from my post denouncing all the US terrorist operations that they are doing against this holy city," Jawdat Kadam Najim al-Kuraishi, deputy governor of Najaf, said on Thursday.

Iraq's delayed national conference to select an interim national assembly will convene Sunday, Minister of State Qassim Dawoud announced Thursday.

The conference, considered a crucial step in the country's move toward democracy, was to have been held in late July, but was delayed to allow more time for preparations - a postponement encouraged by the United Nations.

Key political groups had said last month that they would boycott the conference, some areas of the country complained they hadn't been given enough time to agree on delegates, and officials expressed worries the gathering would be a target for terror attacks.

U.N. officials hoped to persuade resistant factions to attend, but it wasn't immediately clear if they had changed any minds.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi called Thursday on the Shiite militants fighting U.S. and Iraqi forces in the holy city of Najaf to put down their weapons and leave the Imam Ali shrine where they have sought refuge. Allawi's appeal, made in a statement read by Iraqi officials, came as U.S. and Iraqi forces began a major operation in Najaf intended to defeat the militants.

The militants have been holed up in the shrine, one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam, during the fighting and the U.S. military accused them of launching attacks from the shrine compound.

"These places have never been exposed to such violations in the past," he said, adding that the violence has killed many innocent people.

"Our government calls upon all the armed groups to drop their weapons and return to society," Allawi said. "We also call upon all the armed men to evacuate the holy shrine and not to violate its holiness."

IRAQ: AI criticises reinstatement of death penalty: "ANKARA, 12 Aug 2004 (IRIN) - Amnesty International (AI) has criticised the Iraqi government's recent decision to reinstate the death penalty, saying it will do nothing to restore security in the country."

IRAQ: Medical supplies delivered to Najaf as fighting continues: "BAGHDAD, 12 Aug 2004 (IRIN) - International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) officials had delivered three mt of medical supplies to the besieged southern Iraqi city of Najaf as US troops launched a comprehensive assault on Mehdi army fighters resisting them on Thursday."

Palestinians occupy gov't office in Gaza: "Dozens of Palestinians, some of them armed, occupied local government offices in a Gaza refugee camp Thursday, demanding assistance after a series of home demolitions by the Israeli army."

Rumsfeld: Iraq Security Forces Expanding: "Iraqi security forces should grow by 50,000 trained and equipped personnel during the next three or four months, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said as he acknowledged the forces so far have had a mixed record on the battlefield. (AP)"

Gunmen Slay Top Shiite Faction Official: "Gunmen killed a regional leader of one of Iraq's largest Shiite parties in a drive-by shooting south of Baghdad Wednesday, and oil production resumed in Iraq's southern oil fields after authorities reached a deal with supporters of militant cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. (AP)"

U.S. Won't Negotiate With Sadr: "BAGHDAD - After failing in previous attempts to rid Najaf and Fallouja of insurgents, U.S.-led forces say they hope to avoid an inconclusive cease-fire during the current fighting in Najaf. This time, military officials say, they will not negotiate and will not stop applying pressure until they "defeat and destroy" radical Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada Sadr's Al Mahdi militia. (Los Angeles Times)"

Iraq's Sadr Urges Men to Fight Even if He Dies: "A radical Shi'ite Muslim clericurged his militia on Wednesday to keep fighting U.S. forces inIraq even if he is killed, raising the stakes in a bloodyconfrontation that shows no sign of ending. (Reuters)"

Fierce fighting rages in Iraq: "... killed in clashes between rebel forces and Italian troops in Nasiriyah. Rebels also clashed with ... worsening violence. As Iraq's most respected Shiite religious leader, the aged ayatollah has played a ..."

How big Al Qaeda's footprint is in the US: "... several developments overseas. Security was tightened at Rome's main airport following threats directed at Italy. Pakistan, meanwhile, continued with a crackdown on Islamic militancy, and a dozen Al Qaeda suspects were arrested in Britain. In all, the ..."

RACHID: Inside The Mind Of A "Terrorist": "... gives an insight into the mesh of religion, politics and violence that creates a "terrorist". ... designer clothes, Levi 501s, gelled hair and Italian shoes. These GIA 'emirs' (princes) are handsome ... civilians such as journalists, doctors, teachers or Christians. Intestines are used to decorate trees, heads ..."

"We're coming with a mighty force to end the reign of your
oppressors," Bush said, addressing Iraqis who might be
listening from afar. "We are coming to bring you food and
medicine and a better life. And we are coming and we will
not stop, we will not relent until your country is free."
We are very proud of you,Keep your helmet on!

Soldiers Blogs Messages and Breaking News
Support Your Troops ! Many brave soldiers will be far from home during the holidays please help us support them through it.SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
E-Mail Us for more information brandonblog@aol.com